News & Media

SXM Airport, IATA and Stakeholders to Discuss Automated Passport Control

SXM Airport terminal building (SXM Airport photo)

SIMPSON BAY, St. Maarten (Sunday, January 25, 2015) -St. Maarten government
representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and
Telecommunications (TEATT) and the Ministry of Justice will attend a meeting on
Tuesday, January 27, 2015, hosted by the Princess Juliana International Airport, SXM, to
discuss the possible establishment of an Automated Passport Control with officials of the
International Air Transport Association (IATA) and other stakeholders.
with the Ministry of Justice, particularly the
Immigration Department to discuss various immigration issues and airport synergies for improved
efficiency, data collection, safety, as well as the possibility of implementing Automated Passport Control,”
LaBega stated.

“The meeting this Tuesday is meant as a follow up to these discussions, which would allow IATA
and others to make presentations regarding the Automated Passport Control and the benefits that would
result from this system,” LaBega continued. She said Udo Aaron, Director of Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS) of St. Maarten with whom she has held discussions, is very receptive to this
idea and would also be present at the meeting with IATA.

According to the SXM managing director, “Automated Passport Control would allow passengers,
upon arrival, to simply scan their passports and verify biometric and flight information in a fully automated
procedure that could be monitored by Immigration.”

Other topics discussed at meetings with the Immigration and Naturalization Service include
synchronizing data collection and the different systems that could be utilized to share passenger data
between both entities. SXM has agreed to assess the feasibility of implementing such systems.
Both entities also agreed to collaborate on further exploring “E-Gates,” which would allow
passengers to scan their boarding passes in order to gain entry into the Immigration areas. In addition, preclearance,
the TSIS project and enhanced Safety & Security within and around the terminal building
formed part of the discussions.

Aaron disclosed that about 12 additional Immigration officers have been stationed at the airport
after undergoing training. LaBega confirmed that she had received some complimentary reports about the
performance of the Immigration Officers at SXM and noted that this was noticeable especially during the
busy holiday period.

“The idea is to ensure that passengers using SXM airport have a seamless and pleasant travel
experience by reducing queues and the time they spend being processed through Security and Immigration
check points. This will facilitate a more efficient use of space and a possible reduction in infrastructure
requirements and costs,” LaBega concludeds.